Over-referrals to child and adolescent mental health services are having “disastrous consequences” for people who really need the support, a report has revealed.

The report, which was created by four mental health charities, calls on non-mental health professionals such as teachers and youth group leaders to share responsibility for young people’s emotional needs.

It follows concerns that too many young people are being referred to NHS-run child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) when it is not necessary.

Referrals double

Between 2010 and 2014, the number of young people referred to the service doubled – a figure Health Minister Mark Drakeford publicly admitted was too high.

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Now the four mental health charities, dubbed the High Needs Collaborative, which includes Hafal, Mental Health Foundation, Bipolar UK and Diverse Cymru, have called for “strict referral criteria” so those in most need are seen as quickly as possible.

It also calls for an “absolute timescale” for referrals so young people are not waiting for months on end for support.

Teenager Mair Elliott , a former CAMHS user who was involved in writing the report, said: “We all go through ups and downs growing up – these are normal and do not require the help of mental health services.

“Only those children and young people with the highest needs should be supported by specialist CAMHS. We must not medicalise growing up.”

'Friendly and approachable'

According to a consultation which formed part of the report and included the views of 500 young people, three-quarters of people referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) had a negative experience.

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Although children and young people found CAMHS friendly and approachable, less than half said the service helped them get better and move on.

And when CAMHS users were asked who they would prefer to receive support from, 56% said friends, 44% said school, college and university counselling services and 39% said teachers. The report further concluded that CAMHS “does not have capacity to meet the demands currently placed on it”.

Mair Elliott, 18, and Jake Roberts, 22, presented their report to Welsh Government’s review of CAMHS, the ‘Together for Children and Young People Programme’, last week.